Grab viewers' attention on X (formerly Twitter) with captivating video content! This platform is a goldmine for businesses of all sizes to connect with their audience. But with so much competition, how do your videos stand out? This goes beyond just the content itself. Understanding how your video displays on different screens also plays a role. That's where understanding aspect ratio comes in.
This guide will simplify everything you need to know about creating videos that perform well on X or Twitter. You will learn the best video aspect ratio for Twitter and how to optimize your videos for different devices. Get ready to maximize your video impact on X.
In this article
Part 1: Make Sure Your Video Is Twitter-Friendly: Upload Requirements
Hold on before hitting upload on your Twitter video! Double-checking it meets their specs first will save you trouble. Uploading a video that's too large, long, or in the wrong format can cause errors or make it look bad on viewers' devices. Here's a quick rundown of what to consider for smooth uploads and a great viewing experience on Twitter.
Video Resolution
A video resolution refers to the number of pixels that make up your video, defining how sharp and clear it appears. Twitter accepts videos in a wide range of resolutions, but they recommend specific sizes for optimal viewing.
- Landscape: 1280x720 pixels (720p)
- Portrait: 720x1280 pixels (720p)
- Square: 720x720 pixels (720p)
Choosing the right resolution and Twitter video aspect ratio ensures your video fills the frame effectively and displays clearly across different devices. But they are not interchangeable. You can have a video with a specific aspect ratio (like 16:9) in different resolutions (720p, 1080p, or 2160p.)
When you're creating videos for social media, like Twitter, specific dimensions can make a big difference. You wouldn't want those black bars in the video once the video is up. As much as possible, you would want to take up the entire space allotted.
So, what to do if you already have the recorded video in a different aspect ratio? You can easily change the aspect ratio of a Twitter video with Wondershare Filmora. Skip to part 4 of this article to learn how to use its video resizer.
File Size Limits
There's a limit to how much data a tweet can carry, and that includes videos. It is important to keep in mind, especially for longer videos.
- Free users: Maximum file size of 512MB (enough for most short videos)
- X (Twitter) Premium subscribers: 1080p videos under 4 hours in length must be 16GB or less (allows for much longer and higher-quality uploads). For videos lasting 2-4 hours, a maximum file size of 16GB is also recommended, with a resolution of 720p.
- For video ads: Twitter recommends a 1 GB maximum file size. For optimal performance, it's best to keep files under 30 MB.
If you're not a Twitter Premium subscriber and your video is larger than 512MB, you'll have to compress it before uploading.
Frame Rate
Frame rate refers to the number of images (frames) displayed per second in your video. Higher frame rates create smoother motion but also have larger file sizes.
Twitter supports both videos with 30 FPS and 60 FPS. If you're targeting a smooth, action-packed video, 60fps might be preferable. However, 30fps is a good choice for most everyday content to keep the file size manageable.
Video Format Options
Twitter recommends uploading videos in either MP4 (.mp4) or MOV (.mov) format with the H.264 codec, and audio should be AAC with a Low Complexity (LC) profile. These formats are widely used and compatible with most devices, so you shouldn't have trouble uploading them. Ensure your video editing software allows you to export in one of these formats.
Video Length
How long can your Twitter video be? It depends!
- Minimum video length: 0.5 seconds
- Maximum video length: 140 seconds (2 minutes and 20 seconds)
- Exception: Select advertisers can request an increase of up to 10 minutes. However, it's best to keep your videos to 9:55 to account for different video file types.
Twitter Blue subscribers have a longer video upload limit:
- On Android: Upload a video on Twitter up to 10 minutes long
- On iOS and web browsers: Upload videos up to 4 hours long
While Twitter allows videos up to 2 minutes and 20 seconds, shorter videos often perform better for social media marketing. For example, Twitter recommends keeping video ads to 15 seconds or less. Since people scroll quickly through their feeds, shorter videos can grab attention faster and deliver your message more effectively. Aim for concise videos to maximize engagement.
Part 2: Recommended Twitter Video Aspect Ratio
The aspect ratio defines how the width of your video compares to its height. It essentially determines the shape of your video frame. On Twitter, you have the flexibility to choose from the recommended Twitter video aspect ratios:
- 16:9 (landscape): It is the most common aspect ratio used for Twitter videos. It's ideal for showcasing widescreen content, such as landscapes, demonstrations, or interviews.
- 9:16 (portrait): This aspect ratio is perfect for videos filmed on smartphones in portrait mode. It's great for close-up shots, stories, and presentations where you want to maximize the use of the mobile screen.
- 1:1 (square): This square format is ideal for eye-catching visuals, product shots, and quick updates. It works well for grabbing attention when users are scrolling through their feeds.
Everyone knows eye-catching visuals are key on Twitter. But with various ad formats available, which aspect ratio should you choose for your video? Let's find out!
Video Ads
These are standalone video ads that appear within the Twitter feed like any other tweet but with a designation that it's a promoted ad.
Recommended Aspect Ratio: 16:9 (landscape or portrait), 1:1 (square)
Carousel Ads
Carousel Ads showcase several short videos users can swipe through to see more. This lets them capture attention, showcase multiple products, and highlight key features in an engaging format.
- For 80.450 pixels: Use 16:9 aspect ratio
- For 80.800 pixels: Use 1:1 aspect ratio
Amplify Pre-roll
Amplify Pre-roll opens doors to a diverse audience. You can target your ad across 15+ content categories, with even more specific options available through Curated Categories (where applicable).
Recommended Amplify Pre-roll Twitter video aspect ratio: 1:1 or 640x360 minimum
Amplify Sponsorships
X (Twitter) offers sponsorships that go beyond exposure. They create packages with impactful elements like pre-roll ads before captivating videos, live streams, and strategic branded content integrations. When the excitement builds, your brand will be right there, resonating with a highly engaged audience.
Use a 16:9 or 1:1 Twitter video aspect ratio to match the publisher's content best.
Benefits of Following Twitter's Recommendations
Following Twitter's recommended video aspect ratios offers several benefits:
- Better Display: Your video will fill the frame, avoiding unnecessary cropping or black bars that can hinder viewing.
- Higher Engagement: A well-displayed video is more visually appealing and likely to grab attention. It can lead to higher engagement metrics like views and clicks.
- Improved User Experience: When your video follows Twitter's design guidelines, it fits smoothly into the app's feed. This improves how easily people can watch your video.
With these, you can ensure your Twitter videos look their best and resonate with your audience. Remember, a good aspect ratio makes your content look better on Twitter.
Part 3: Optimizing Twitter Videos for Multiple Devices
Just like websites, videos need to be responsive to display well on different devices. Twitter might crop your video to fit the feed, which can hide important information. Here are some best practices to ensure your message remains clear:
- Think Mobile-first: Most Twitter users scroll on their phones. So, design your video with a mobile-friendly aspect ratio in mind.
- Safe Zone: There's a spot in the center of your video frame called the "safe zone." Place key text, graphics, or actions in the center of the frame. It increases the likelihood they'll be visible regardless of cropping for different Twitter video aspect ratios. Avoid placing text or logos close to the edges of the frame, as they might be cut off.
- Start Strong, End Strong: Hook viewers in the first few seconds and summarize your message at the end. This way, viewers get the gist even if the middle gets cropped.
- Consider Captions and Subtitles: Captions ensure your message is understood even with the sound off. However, tell your story through engaging visuals that don't rely on text if possible.
Part 4: How To Edit Video Aspect Ratio With Filmora
To keep your content looking its best on any device, export them at the recommended Twitter video aspect ratio. Using a video editor like Filmora makes this easy. There are several ways to adjust the aspect ratio to match the requirements of social media apps like Twitter, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook. This ensures your video won't have black bars or be cropped when people view it.
You can adjust the aspect ratio in Filmora while editing and before exporting your video. For a quick solution, use the AI Auto-Reframe feature. This AI-powered tool automatically detects the focal point of your video and crops it to keep the main action or object in the frame.
Steps To Change the Twitter Video Aspect Ratio
As a marketer, content creator, video editor, or anyone posting videos on Twitter and other platforms, you need to adjust the aspect ratio to the app's recommended size. Here's how to change the aspect ratio of a video with AI Auto Reframe:
Step 1: Download and install the Filmora app on your desktop. Open the app and log in or create a new account.
Step 2: From the main interface, go to the AI toolbox from the left-side navigation pane. Then, scroll down and select Auto Reframe.
Step 3: Drag and drop your video in the Auto Reframe pop-up window or click Import to upload it from the local storage.
Step 4: Select a new Twitter video aspect ratio from the Aspect Ratio drop-down list, then click Analyze. You can change the video from a 16:9 aspect ratio to 9:16 or 1:1.
Step 5: Play the preview of the video. Move the frame to change the visible area for the new aspect ratio. Then, click Export when finished.
Conclusion
Uploading videos with the recommended Twitter video aspect ratio can make a big difference in your reach. The app supports various sizes, but using 16:9 for landscape, 9:16 for portrait, and 1:1 for square videos ensures they display correctly. Try these out and see which gets you more views and engagement!
Remember, viewers on phones and web browsers might see your video differently. Filmora can help you edit your videos for any platform so you can create engaging content for Twitter and other apps. It's the best tool for editing and optimizing your videos for marketing, personal use, and more.
